Hyde Park Barracks Museum

In the Autumn holidays I took my seven year old daughter to the Barracks to take part in the Convict Kid's Trail. The whole day was a joy, from the train ride and the pleasant stroll through Hyde Park, to embracing the colourful rhino outside the Barracks. The cost was $12 for Lizzie to do the kid's trail. We had an absolute ball with the enthusiastic tour guide. The kids changed into convict attire, and were taken through the Barracks. They had to look for clues, and were able to experience sleeping on hammocks in the convict quarters, making bricks, and playing old-fashioned games such as marbles.

The kids got right into it and the hour went very quickly. Afterward, Lizzie and I explored the Barracks at our leisure. Some things made her giggle, such as the underwear displayed from that time, and other things made her realize how tough life was back then. She told me she couldn't imagine how cold it must have been in the draughty room where all the convicts slept.

Famished, we had lunch at the Hyde Park Barracks café. The staff were extremely friendly, and the food was divine, with an extensive kid's menu. Lizzie discovered she loves passionfruit sorbet.

In between school holidays, the museum is open 10am-5pm daily, and costs $20 for a family of four; adults $10, kids and concessions $5. We had such a fabulous time, that I am going to purchase the Sydney Museum Pass. For three months, you can visit the Museum of Sydney, the Justice and Police Museum, Susannah Place Museum at The Rocks and the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. The pass costs $18 for adults and $9 child/concession. It can be purchased from any of the above venues.